Multiple position reclining chair



Dec. 11, 1962 F. F. scHLlEPHAcKl-z 3,068,047

I MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed June 13, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 HG. l.

Dec. 11, 1962 F. F. scHLlEPHAcKE 3,058,047

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed June l5, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheetv 2 f FlG. 4.

Dec. 11, 1962 F. F.scH1 1EPHAcKE 3,068,047

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed June 13, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY 27H4 Am *f* M nTroRA/Ey Dec. 11, 1962 F. F. scHLlEPHAcKE 3,068,047

MULTIPLE POSITION RECLINING CHAIR Filed June l5, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. l0.

1N VENTOR. FIG I2 I maan/or r. JmL/19H40@ BY i m Aki-@v A 71o RNE v5 wat This invention relates to improvements in adjustable reclining chairs and in particular to multiple position reclining chairs wherein the body-supporting unit is mounted for movement through a plurality of diierent motion phases to at least an intermediate, tilted sitting position and a fully-tilted position.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending United States patent application Serial No. 770,079, tiled October 28, 1958, and entitled Multiple Position Reclining Chair, now Patent No. 2,940,510.

in said co-pending application there is disclosed a reclining chair in which the body-supporting unit is mounted on the support frame by a pair of guide links, the latter turning on their pivotal mounts to move the body-supporting unit in the first motion phase. The chair structure also included lost motion means mounting the front guide link on the support frame in such a manner that the body-supporting unit could turn about its pivotal connection with the rear guide link during a second motion phase, the front guide link rising with the seat to permit this turning movement.

The present application is concerned with the provision of sequencing means in a chair of the type disclosed in my aforementioned co-pending patent application, the sequencing means operating to prevent the front guide link from rising during the lirst motion phase and thereby preventing the body-supporting unit from moving through the second motion phase prematurely.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective sequencing means in a chair of the character described, which sequencing means is effective to prevent the front guide link from rising relative to the support frame during the iirst motion phase, and to release the front guide link for elevation during the second motion phase, whereby the body-supporting unit may turn about its pivotal connection with the rear guide link.

Another object of the invention is the provision of sequencing means of the type described in the nature of a pin-and-slot coupling between the front guide link and the support frame.

A further obiect of the invention is the provision of a new and simplified leg-rest control arrangement operl atively connected to the front guide link and utilizing the movement and lost motion travel of the front guide link to raise the leg-rest from an underslung position to an extended position during the iirst motion phase, and to maintain the leg-rest in said extended position during the second motion phase.

In accordance with the invention herein, there is provided a sequencing7 arrangement in a multiple position chair of the type in which the front guide link turns about a temporarily stationary pivot during the -iirst motion phase and rises with said pivot in a lost motion movement during the second motion phase. The sequencing arrangement includes a slot slidably receiving a portion of the front guide link and holding the front guide link against upward movement during the iirst motion phase, while the front guide link turns about its stationary pivot. The slot then releases the front 'guide link at the end of the rst motion phase and permits said front guide link to be lifted with the seat during the second motion phase in which the body-supporting unit turns about its pivotal connection with the rear guide link. A leg-rest is also pro- 3,0%,047 Patented Dec. .11, 1962 vided and actuating means for moving the leg-rest to its extended position during the first motion phase and for maintaining the leg-rest in extended position during the second motion phase. rl'his actuating `means includes an extension of the front guide link and an actuating link connecting said extension to the leg-rest.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following speciiication when taken in connecten with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational vie. with portions broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair made in accordance with the invention herein, the chair being shown in an upright sitting position with the leg-rest retracted;

FiG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. .1, but showing the chair thereof in its inter-mediate tilted sitting position with the leg-rest in extended position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the chair of FIGS. l and 2 in its fully-tilted position;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, with portions broken away and shown in section of a second embodiment of reclining chair made in accordance with the present invention, the chair being shown in its upright, sitting position;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the operative portions of the chair of FIG. 4, these portions being shown in the intermediate, tilted, sitting position;

FIG. 6 is an elevational View similar to FIG. 5, but showing the chair portions in a fully tilted position;

PEG. 7 is an elevational View, with portions broken away and shown in section, of a reclining chair incorporating a modified structure made in accordance with the invention, the chair being shown in an upright sittin-g position;

FlG. 8 is an elevational View of opera-tive portions of the chair of FIG. 7, these portions being shown in the intermediate, tilted, sitting position;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 8, but showing the chair portions in a fully-tilted position;

TFIG. l0 is an elevational view, of a vreclining chair yincorporating a further modified structure made in accordance with the invention, portions of the chair being broken away and shown in section and the chair parts being shown in an upright, sitting position; p

FIG. 1l is an elevational view of the operative portions of the chair of FIG. l0, these portions being shownin the intermediate, tilted, sitting position; and

FIG. 12 is ran elevational view similar to FIG. 121, but showing the chair portions in a fully tilted position.

Referring in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an embodiment -of the invention wherein lthere is shown a reclining chair which includes a support frame or base structure lil having depending legs l12..for maintaining it above the `floor level. The support frame 10 comprises a pair of lside walls 14 and I6 connected in spaced relationship by cross bars or braces 'such as the cross bars 1S, 2t) and 22.

A body-supporting unit, .designated 'generally by the reference numeral 24 is move-bly mounted on the support lframe lil. The body-supporting unit 24 comprises a seat 26 and a back-rest 2S which are formed integrally with each other to provide a rigid unit.

The body-supporting unit 24 is movably mounted on the support frame 10 by a pair of guide links 'Sil and v32. The rear guide link 3Q is pivotally mounted on the support frame 10 by a iixed pivot 34. The upper end of the rear guide link 30 is connected to the rear portion of the seat 26 by a pivot 36. The forward portion of the seat 26 carries a depending bracket 38 to which the kupper end of the front guide link 32 is connected by pivot '40.

An intermediate portion of the front guide link 32 carries a lixed pin 42 which extends through a slot 44 in a plate 46 ixedly connected to the frame cross-bar 1S. At its lower end, the slot 44 has an enlarged circular slot extension 48 communicating therewith, and the pin 42 is located within this slot extension 48 in t-he upright sitting position of the chair shown in FIG. l.

The pin and slot connection 42, 44 between the front guide link 32 and the support frame 10 provides a lost motion connection whereby the front guide link 32 is normally pivotable on the support frame i9 but during a portion of the chair movement may be raised relative to the support frame. The slot 44, its extension 48, and the pin 42 are also so constructed as to provide sequencing means for insuring that the body-supporting unit 24 is first guided for movement by both guide links Si) and 32 before the lost motion means is effective to permit the front guide link 32 from being raised relative to the support frame, in a manner which will be presently described.

The position of the chair shown in FIG. 1 represents the upright sitting position thereof in which the occupant is disposed in a normal sitting position as in conventional chairs. In this upright attitude, the guide links 30 and 32 are inclined forwardly and upwardly from their pivotal mounts on the support frame 10 towards the seat 26, resting upon the cross bar 22 of the frame lil, and being restrained thereby from forward pivoting movement whereby the body-supporting unit 24 is supported in its upright position. The pivot pin 42 of the front guide link 32 is located in the circular extension 48 at the bottom end of slot 44, thereby supporting the weight of the front end of the seat 26.

When the occupant of the chair in the upright sitting position wishes to move to the intermediate tilted position, he shifts his weight rearwardly and applies rearward pressure against the back-rest 2S, causing the guide links 30 and 32 to pivot rearwardly about their respective pivotal mounts 34 and 42. This rearward pivoting movement of guide links 30 and 32 carries the body-supporting unit 24 in a rearward direction to the intermediate titlted position of FIG. 2, which position is dened by the engagement of the rear guide link 30 with the cross bar 20. Since the rear guide link 30 can no longer pivot rearwardly about its pivotal mount 34, the body-supporting unit 24 can no longer move in the rst motion phase as directed by the two guide links 30 and 32.

It will be noted in FIG. 1 that the front guide link 32 is inclined forwardly to a greater degree than the rear guide link 30. Consequently, when the body-supporting unit 24 reaches the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2, the front guide link 32 has turned to a vertically upstanding position in which the forward portion of the seat is raised. At the same time, the rear guide link 36 has passed through its vertical position and has pivoted 4downwardly through a small angle about its fixed pivot 34 thereby lowering the rear portion of the seat relative to the front portion thereof so that the seat is slightly tilted rearwardly in the intermediate tilted position. As Will be presently explained, the chair leg-rest is moved to its extended position during the rst motion phase, so that in the intermediate tilted position the occupants legs are supported by the leg-rest while his body is still in a substantially upright position which is suitable for reading, viewing television or the like.

Since the engagement 'of the rear guide link 30 with the cross bar in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2 prevents further rearward movement of the body-supporting unit 24 in a rearward direction through the simultaneous pivoting movement of the two guide links 30 and 32, a different path of movement must be provided to enable the body-supporting unit 24 to be moved from the intermediate tilted sitting position to a fully-tilted position. This is accomplished by the pivot 36 connecting the rear guide link 30 to the body-supporting unit 24, and also by the pin-and-slot connection 42, 44 between the Ifront guide link 32 and the support frame 10. Thus, when the occupant of the chair wishes to move from the intermediate tilted position to a fully tilted position, he may shift his weight further rearwardly and apply further pressure against the back-rest 28, thereby causing the body-supporting unit to pivot about its pivotal connection 36 with the stationary rear guide link 30, in the manner shown in FIG. 3. It will therefore be appreciated that the movement of the body-supporting unit 24 through the second motion phase is a simple pivoting movement of the seat 26 about the pivot 36 which is now xed relative to the support or frame, so that the rear portion of the body-supporting unit 24 is lowered and the front portion is raised.

As the body-supporting unit 24 turns about the pivot 36 during the second motion phase, the -front guide link 32 is carried upwardly with the forward portion of the seat and its fixed bracket 38, the pin 42 rising to the upper end of the slot 44 in a lost motion movement. The limit of movement of the body-supporting unit 24 during this second motion phase is determined by engagement of the pin 42 with the top end of the slot 44, and also by engagement of the lower surface of the body-supporting unit 24 with the cross bar 20.

ln chairs of this multiple position type, it is customary to provide sequencing means to ensure that the body-supporting unit will move from the upright sitting position of FIG. 1 through the first motion phase and then through the second motion phase. Specifically, the chair shown herein, it is essential that the body-supporting unit 24- rst move along the path directed by pivoting movement of the guide links 30, 32 and then move in the simple pivoting motion through the second motion phase about the pivot 36. For this purpose, sequencing means are provided, as previously indicated, to insure that the body-supporting unit does not turn about the pivot 36 during the rst motion phase. This is accomplished by ensuring that the front guide link 32 cannot be lifted relative to the support frame l() until the body-supporting unit has reached the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2.

The aforementioned sequencing `function is provided by the slot 44, the slot extension 48, and the pin 42. For this purpose, it will be observed that the pin 42 is made in a flat oval or rectangular shape, that is to say with its length appreciably greater than its width. The length of the pin 42 is slightly less than the diameter of the circular slot extension 48, so that during the rst motion phase the pin 42 will freely rotate within said extension 48. However, the length of the pin 42 is appreciably greater than the width of the slot 44. Thus. in the position of FIG. 1 the pin 42 cannot slide upwardly through slot 44 because the longitudinal axis of said pin 42 extends across the lower end of said slot 44. The width of the pin 42 is, however, sutiiciently small to enable said pin to travel upwardly through the slot 44 when the pin is turned in such a direction that the longitudinal axis thereof is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of said slot 44. This is accomplished in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2, the front guide link 32 having turned to such an extent that the longitudinal axis of the pin 42 is an alignment with the axis of the slot 44. The pin 42 therefore slides upwardly through the slot 44 during the second motion phase to permit the front guide link 32 to be raised with the front portion of the seat.

The chain structure also includes a leg-rest 5G mounted by pivot 54 on the forward end of the seat 26, and leg-rest actuating means 56 adapted to move the leg-rest from a retracted position shown in FIG. 1 to an extended position shown in FIG. 2, and to maintain the leg-rest in said extended position when the body-supporting unit 24 is moved throught he second motion phase to the fully tilted position of FIG. 3. The leg-rest 50 is of triangular shape and has a leg-supporting surface 50a, an end surface 50b arranged perpendicularly to the leg-supporting surface 50a, and an inner surface 50c disposed angularly to the other two aforementioned surfaces 51M and Sdb. The pivot 54 is located at the junction of the surfaces St'tb and 50c.

The leg-rest actuating means includes an extension 32a of the front guide link 32 which extends beyond the flat pivot 42, and a leg-rest actuating link 64. The latter is connected at one end by pivot 66 to the free end of the front guide link extension 32a, and at its other end by pivot 6? to a leg-rest 50 at a point along the inner surface 50c thereof, spaced a short distance from the pivot 54.

In the upright sitting position of the chair shown in FIG. 1, the leg-rest is disposed in an inverted under-slung position with the leg-supporting surface Stia thereof dis- -posed substantially horizontally and parallel to the under `surface of the seat 26 and the side surface 50o thereof disposed substantially vertical and in line with the forward edge of the seat 26. During the iirst motion phase,

when the front guide link 32 turns rearwardly about its :pivotal mount 42, its extension 32a turns forwardly and upwardly pushing the link 64 forwardly and causing the leg-rest 50 to turn about its pivotal mount 54 on the seat 26 and move to the extended position of FIG. 2. In this position the leg-rest 5t) has turned through an angle of almost 180 and the leg-supporting surface Stia is disposed substantially horizontally in front of the seat 26. Since the pivotal connection 66 between the actuating link 64 and the front guide link extension 32a is located below the pivotal connection 68 between the actuating link 64 and the leg-rest 50, a mechanical advantage is achieved which produces` an easy starting `movement of the leg-rest't) at the beginning of the tirst vmotion phase, and the entire chair movement is thus facilitated.

`When the body-supporting unit 24 is moved from the intermediate tilted position -of FIG. 2 to the fully tilted position of FIG. 3, the front guide link 32 is lifted with the forward end of the seat 26 and the leg-rest actuating link 64 lis accordingly 'carried in an upward direction therewith through its pivotal connection 66 with the front guide klink extension 32a. The slot 44 extends in an upward and forward direction so that it guides the front guide link extension 32a forwardly as well as upwardly. thereby moving the leg-rest actuating link 64 in such a direction as to maintain the leg-rest 51, in proper leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat as shown in FIG. 3. `It will be observed that the leg-rest actuating link 64 is moved upwardly in the same ratio as the seat 26 since the pivot 66 follows the upward movement of said seat, and the leg-rest is thus kept in the substantially horizontal level relative to the seat in approximately the same relationship as in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a chair incorporating a modified type of sequencing means made in accordance with the invention. Similar reference numerals are used for like parts, except that these form part of a 100 series.

In FIGS. 4-6 there is shown a reclining chair which includes a support frame or base structure 1111 mounted on depending legs 112 and a pair ofspaced side walls V114 and 116 connected by cross bars or braces 11S and 12d.

A body-supporting unit' 124, comprising a rigidlyformed scat 126 and back-rest 128, is movably mounted on the support frame 110 by a pair of guide links 130 and 132. The rear guide link 13d is pivotally mounted on the support frame 110 by a iixed pivot 13d, and is connected to the rear portion of the seat 126 by a pivot 136. The forward portion of the seat' 126 carries a depending bracket 138 to which the upper end of the front guide link 132 is connected by pivot 141i. An intermediate portion of the front guide link 132 carries a fixed pin 142 which extends through a slot 144 in a plate 146 fixedly connected to the frame cross-bar 11S. T he front guide link v132 also carries a second fixed pin 'tension 158.

te' 152 which is offset from the longitudinal axis thereof and spaced above the pin 142. The slot 144 Vhas an arcuate extension 158 which communicates with a lower intermediate portion thereof and extends downwardly and forwardly therefrom. The second pin .152 is normally located with this slot extension 15S.

In the upright sitting position of the chair shown in FIG. 4, the guide links 13u and 132 are inclined forwardly and upwardly from their pivotal mounts on the support frame toward the seat 126, the body-supporting unit 12d resting upon the cross bars 118 and 120 and being supported thereby. The pivot pin 142 of the front guide link .132 is seated at the bottom end of slot 144 and the pin 152 is seated at the bottom end of slot extension 158, thereby supporting the weight-of the front end of the seat126.

When the occupant of the chair in the upright sitting position applies rearward pressure against the backrest 128, the guide links and 132 pivot rearwardly about their respective pivotal mounts 134 and 142. This rearward pivoting movement of guide links 139 and 132 lifts the body-supporting unit 124 up from 'the cross bars 118 and 120 and moves the body-supporting unit in a rearward direction to the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5, the rear guide link 131) engaging the cross bar 120.

rEhe slot extension 153 and the second pin 152 on front guide link :132 consitute sequencing means which insures that the `body-supporting unit 128 moves first through the first' motion phase, and moves through the second motion phase only after the first motion phase is completed. This is again accomplished by preventing the front guide link 132 from rising relative to the support frame 110 until the body-supporting unitl reaches the `intermediate position of FIG. 5

In the upright sitting position of FlG. 4, 'the pivot vpin 142 is seated at the bottom end of slot 144 while the pin 152 is located at the bottom of slot-extension 153. The slot extension 152 is arcuate and fol-lows a segment of a `circle whose center coincides with Vthe pivot pin 142 at-thebottom of slot '144. During the first vmotion phase,

as the front guide -link 132 turns rearwardly about the pivot v1212, `the kpin 154 rides freely through the slot exltwill be 'appreciated that ywhile the pin 152 is located in the slot 158,'the front guide link 144 'cannot be lifted relative to the support frame, but can only `turn about y'the stationary pivot 142. When the body-supporting unit 124 is in the upright sitting` posivtion of FIG. 4, it iis therefore prevented from turning about its pivotal connection -136with the rear guide link 130, and its 'movement is llirn'itedito Vthat' provided by vthe simultaneous turning of both guide links 130 and 132 about their respective pivotal mounts 134 and 142.

At 4the end of this'iirst motion phase, the body-supporting Lunit 124 -reaches 'the intermediate, tilted sitting position of FIG. 5, this position being Adetermined by engagement of the rear `guide link 130 with the crossbar 121). Inthis position, 4the pin 152 has left the slot extension 158 `and is located within'slo't V144. Theguide links 130 and .132 can no longer pivot rearwardly, and the body-supporting'unit 124 is now frceto'move through 'the second motion Vphase which constitutes a simple pivoting movement about its pivotal connection 1.36- with the stationary rear guide link 131B. This is possible because the front guide link 132 maynow be lifted with `the forward portion of the seat 126, ythe pins 142 and 146 rising in the slot 144 to permit this elevation vof further pressure kagainst the back-rest 123, thereby causing the body-supportinguuit to move through the second .motion phase abouti-its pivotal vconnection 136 with @the stationary rear guide link 130, in the manner shown in FIG. 6.

As the body-supporting unit 124 turns about the pivot 136 during the second motion phase, the front guide link 132 is carried upwardly with the forward portion of the seat 126, the pins 142 and 152 rising toward the upper end of the slot 144 in a lost motion movement. The limit of movement of the body-supporting unit 124 during this second motion phase is determined by engagement of the pin 152 with the top end of the slot 144, and also by engagement of the lower surface of the body-supporting unit 124 with the rear cross bar 122.

The chair structure also includes a leg-rest mounted by pivot 154 on the forward end of the seat 126, and leg-rest actuating means 156 adapted to move the leg-rest from its retracted position shown in FIG. 4 to the extended positions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The leg-rest 150 again is of triangular shape having a legsupporting surface 150:1, an end surface 150b and an inner surface 150e.

The leg-rest actuating means includes an extension 132a of the front guide link 132 which extends beyond the pivot pin 142, and a leg-rest actuating link 164. The latter is.connected at one end by pivot 166 to the free end of a front guide link extension 132a, and its other end by pivot 168 to a leg-rest 156.

In the upright sitting position of the chair shown in FIG. 4, the leg-rest is disposed in an inverted underslung position with the leg-supporting surface 158 thereof disposed substantially horizontally and parallel to the under surface of the seat 126. During the first motion phase, when the front guide link 132 turns rearwardly about its pivotal mount 142, its extension 132a turns forwardly and upwardly pushing the link 164 forwardly and causing the leg-rest 150 to turn about its pivotal mount 154 on the seat 126 to the extended position of FIG. 5. In this position, the leg-supporting surface 158 is disposed substantially horizontally in front of the seat 126 and is substantially at the level thereof.

When the `body-supporting unit 124 is moved from the intermediate tilted sitting position of FIG. 5 to the fullytilted position of FIG. 6, the front guide link 132 is lifted with the forward end of the seat 126 and the leg-rest actuating link 164 is accordingly carried in an upward direction therewith. The leg-rest actuating link 164 is moved upwardly in the same ratio as the seat 126 since the pivot 166 follows the upward movemnt of said seat, and the leg rest is thus kept in the substantially horizontal level relative to the seat in approximately the same relationship as in the intermediate tilted position of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7-9 illustrate a modified embodiment of the in vention in which the sequencing means, instead of including a slot and an extension thereof, includes two separate slots. In this embodiment, like reference numerals are employed for similar parts, except that they form part of a 200 series.

In FIGS. 7-9, the chair is shown to include a support fame 210 mounted on legs 212 and including a pair of side walls 214 and 216 connected in spaced relationship by cross bars 218 and 220.

A body-supporting unit 224, comprising a rigidlyformed seat 226 and back-rest 228, is movably mounted on the support frame 210 by the guide links 230 and 232. The rear guide link 230 is pivotally mounted on the support frame 210 by a fixed pivot 234, and at its upper end is connected to the rear portion of the seat 226 by a pivot 236. The forward portion of the seat 226 carries a depending bracket 238 to which the upper end of the front guide link 232 is connected by pivot 240. An intermediate portion of the front guide link 232 carries a fixed pin 242 which extends through a slot 244 in a plate 246 xedly connected to the frame cross-bar 218.

The chair of FIGS. 7-9 also includes a leg-rest 250 of the same triangular construction as previously described, the leg-rest 250 being mounted on the forward portion of the seat 226 by pivot 254. The leg-rest actuating means 256 again includes a leg-rest actuating link 254 which is connected by pivot pin 266 to the lower extension 232e of front guide link 232. The other end of link 254 is connected by pivot 258 to the leg-rest 250.

In this instance, the pivot pin 266, connecting the front guide link extension 232e and leg-rest actuating link 264, is included in the sequencing means. The latter also includes an additional slot 270 in the plate 246, which slot 270 includes a substantially-horizontal portion 270:1 communicating with a substantially-vertical portion 270b. The portion 276e is in the form of a segment of a circle with its center at the bottom of slot 244.

In the upright sitting position of FIG. 7, the pin 242 is at the bottom of slot 244, while the pin 266 is at the rear end of the slot portion 270a. When the body-supporting unit 224 is moved rearwardly from this upright sitting position, the presence of the pin 266 in slot portion 270:1 prevents the front guide link 232 from being lifted, and therefore prevents the body-supporting unit 224 from turning about its pivotal connection 236 with the rear guide link 230. The body-supporting unit is therefore limited to movement through the first motion phase by the rearward turning of both guide links 230 and 232 about their respective pivotal mounts 234 and 242.

As the front guide link 232 turns rearwardly about the stationary pivot pin 242 at the bottom of slot 244 during the first motion phase, the pin 266 carried by front guide link extension 232a moves to the forward end of slot portion 270a and into registry with the upstanding slot portion 270b. The pin 266 is so located in the intermediate, upright sitting position of FIG. 8, which position is dened by engagement of the rear guide link 230 with the cross-bar 220.

During the first motion phase, the leg-rest actuating link 264 is moved forwardly by the front guide link extension 232a, and in turn elevates the leg-rest 250. Said leg-rest is therefore turned through an angle of almost from the underslung position of FIG. 7 to the extended position of FIG. 8.

When the body-supporting unit 224 is moved from the intermediate position of FIG. 8 to the fully-tilted position of FIG. 9, it turns about its pivotal connection 236 with the stationary rear guide link 230. The front guide link 232 is raised by the forward portion of the seat 226 and the pivot pin 242 rises in slot 244 to permit this elevation of the front guide link. Since the slot extension 27011 is parallel to the slot 244, the pin 266 also rises in said slot extension 2705,4 as shown in FIG. 9 providing with pin 242 a lost motion movement. The leg-rest actuating link 264 is therefore also raised with the forward portion of the seat and at substantially the same rate so that the legrest 250 is maintained in its extended position in the fully tilted position of FIG. 9.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a further modified embodiment of the invention which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9, except that a link is substituted for the pinand-slot connection between the front guide link and the support frame. In this embodiment similar reference numerals are again employed for like parts, except that in this instance, the numerals form part of a 300 series.

The support frame 310 is again mounted on legs 312 and includes spaced side walls 314 and 316 interconnected by cross-bars 318, 320 and 322. The body-supporting unit 324, comprising a rigidly-formed seat 326 and backrest 328 is movably mounted on the support frame 310 by front and rear guide links 330 and 332. The rear guide link 330 is again mounted on the support frame by fixed pivot 334, and is connected to pivot 336 to the rear portion of the seat 326.

The front guide link 332 is connected by pivot 340 to a depending bracket 338 afxed to the forward portion of the seat 326. In this instance, however, the pivotal mount for the front guide link 332 and the lost motion movement of this pivotal mount during the second moacens-ir tion phase, is provided by a link 380 'instead of a pin-and- `slot coupling as in the previous embodiments.

The link 380 is pivotally mounted on the support frame 310 by `a fixed pivot 382 and is connected to an intermediate Vlower portion ofthe front guide link 332 by pivot 342; In the upright sitting position of the body-supporting unit 324shown in FIG. 10,-the link 380 extends downwardly `and forwardly from its iixed pivotal mount 382 and -rests upon the cross-bar 322, thus supporting the forward end of the seat. During the first motion phase, the link 384i remains immovably in this position, providing a temporarily iixed pivot 342 about which turns the front guide link 332. During the second motion phase, however, the link 3S@ turns upwardly about its pivotal mount 382, permitting the front guide link 332 to be raised with the seat 326, and the pivot 342 to travel upwardly in a lost motion movement.

Sequencing means is again provided by a slot 370 similar to the one previously described in connection with the lembodimentof FIGS. 7-9, and having a substantially horizontal portion 37Go land an upright portion 370i). The slot 370 is formed in a plate 346 mounted on cross-bar 318. The front guide link 332 has a lower extension 332a extending beyond the pivot 342, the extension 332a carrying a pin 366 which extends slidably within the yslot 370. v

The slot portion 3700: -i's the segment of a circle with a center located a-t the pivot 342 in its position of FiGS. l and ll. Thus, when the body-supporting unit 324 is moved through the lirst motion phase from the upright sitting position of FiG. l0 to the intermediate, tilted, sit- Iting position of FIG. ll, the pin 366 moves from the rear end of slot portion 370a to the forward portion of slot 37Go and into communication with the bottom end of the upright slot portion 370b. The location of the pin 366 in the slot portion 37th prevents the front guide link from being lifted relative to the support frame 33.0.

In the intermediate position of FG. l1, the rear guide link 330 is held against further rearward movement by engagement with the cross-bar 320. During the second motion phase, the body-supporting unit 324 turns about its pivotal connection 336 with the stationary rear guide link 330 so that the forward portion of the seat is elevated. As the forward portion of the seat is raised, it carries upwardly with it the front guide link 332, -this lost motion being eiected by the link 380 which turns upwardly about its lixed pivot 382 and permits the pivot 342 to `move upwardly with said front guide link 332. The slot portion 370]: -is parallel to the path which pivot 342 follows during the second motion phase, lso that the pin 366 slides freely upward in the slot portion 370b, as shown in FIG. l2.

The leg-rest 350 is again `of the triangular shape as previously described and is mounted by pivot 354 at the front end of seat 326. The leg-rest -actuating means 356 again includes an actuating link 364 connected at one end by pivot pin 366 to the free end of front guide link extension 332a, and at its other end by pivot 358 to the legrest 350. During the first motion phase, when the front guide link 332 turns about its stationary pivotal mount 342, its lower extension 332a turns forwardly and moves the actuating link 364 forwardlly. The latter in turn raises the leg-rest 350 to its extended position of FIG. ll. During the second motion phase, the actuating link 364 travels upwardly with the front guide link 332 and the seat 326 and maintains the leg-rest in extended position.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous additions, changes and omissions may be made in such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What I claim is:

l. A reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including a seat and back-rest rigidly formed with each other, control means supporting the body-'supporting unit and guiding the same for movement -through 'a first motion phase from an upright sitting position to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase from vsaid intermediate ltil-ted position to a fully-tilted position, said control means comprising front and -rear guide links respectively connected to the front and rrear portions of the seat, the rear guide flink having a viixed pivotal mount on the support frame, lost motion means mounting the Ifront guide Vlink on the support frame for pivotal movement about a stationary pivot during the iirst motion phase and for upward movelnient of said pivot'relative to the support frame during the second motion phase whereby the seat turns labout its pivotal connection with the rear guide link and the front guide link is elevated with -the seat, and sequencing means operatively conected to the front guide link for precluding 4elevation of the front guide link during the iirst motion phase.

2. A reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including a seat and back-.rest rigidly formed witheach other, control means supporting the body-supporting unit and guiding the same for move- `ment 'through a rs't motion phase froml an upright sitting position to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion motion phase from said intermediate tilted `position to a fully-tilted position, said control means comprising front and rear guide links respectively connected to the front and rear portions of the seat, the rear guide link having a iixed pivotal mount on the support frame, lost motion means mounting the front guide link on the support frame for pivotal movement about a stationary pivot during the rst motion phase and for upward movement of said pivot relative to the support frame during the second motion phase whereby the seat turns about its pivotal connection with the rear guide link and the front guide link is elevated with the seat, and sequencing means operatively connected to the front guide link for precluding elevation of the front guide link during the rst motion phase, said sequencing means comprising a pin and slot connection between the front guide link and the support frame, the slot having a section containing the pin and preventing upward movement of the front guide link during the irst motion phase, and a second section slidably receiving the pin to permit upward movement of the front guide link during the second motion phase.

3. A reclining chair comprising a support frame, a body-supporting unit including a seat and back-rest rigidly formed with each other, control means supporting the body-supporting unit and guiding the same for movement through a first motion phase from a upright sitting position to an intermediate tilted position and then through a second motion phase-from said intermediate tilted position to a fully-tilted position, said control means comprising front and rear guide links respectively connected to the front and rear portions of the seat, the rear guide link having a ixed pivotal mount on the support frame, lost motion means mounting the front guide link on the support frame for pivotal movement about a stationary pivot during the first motion phase and for upward movement of said pivot relative to the support frame during the second motion phase whereby the seat turns about its pivotal connection with the rear guide link and the front guide link is elevated with the seat, and sequencing means operatively connected to the front guide link for precluding elevation of the front guide link during the first m'otion phase, said sequencing means comprising a pin carried by the front guide link and a slot rigid with said support frame and receiving said pin, the slot having a section containing the pinand preventing upward movement of the front guide link during the rst motion phase, and a second section slidably receiving the pin at the intermediate tilted position to permit upward movement of the front guide link during the second motion phase.

4. A reclining chair according to claim 3 in which said pin is elongated, having a length substantially greater than its width,` said slot having a lower circular section sized to rotatably receive said pin for turning movement during the first motion phase, and an elongated upstanding section communicating with the lower section and of lesser width than the length of said pin, the longitudinal axis of the pin extending across said upstanding slot section during the rst motion phase to prevent the pin from entering said upstanding slot section, the pin turning to a position in which its longitudinal axis is aligned with said upstanding slot section at the intermediate tilted position of the body-supporting unit, whereby the pin may slide up the upstanding slot section during the second motion phase.

5. A reclining chair according to claim 3 in which said pin is located at an intermediate portion of the front guide link above the pivotal mount thereof, the slot having an extension section defining an arc of a circle with a center at the pivotal mount of the front guide link in its stationary position.

6. A reclining chair according to claim 3 in which said front guide link has a lower portion extending below its pivotal mount, said pin being carried by said lower portion for forward movement when the front guide link turns about its stationary pivotal mount, said slot having a lower, substantially horizontal arcuate section slidably receiving said pin when the latter is carried forwardly by said front guide link lower portion, and an upright section 12 communicating with said horizontal section and receiving said pin in the intermediate tilted position of the bodysupporting unit.

7. A reclining chair according to claim 3 in which said lost motion means comprises a pin and slot connection between said front guide link and the support frame.

8. A reclining chair according to claim 3 in which said lost motion means comprises a link pivotally mounted on the support frame and connected to said front guide link at a point spaced from the pivotal mount of the latter.

9. A reclining chair according to claim 3 which also includes a leg-rest pivotally connected to the front end of the seat for movement between a retracted position beneath the seat and an extended position forwardly of the seat, the leg-rest having a leg-supporting surface disposed parallel to the under surface of the seat and inverted in the retracted position and in a substantially horizontal, upright position in the extended position, said front guide link having an extension projecting beyond its pivotal mount, and a leg-rest actuating link connecting said extension to said leg-rest.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,664,942 Spear Ian. S, 1954 2,918,113 Lorenz Dec. 22, 1959 2,940,510 Schliephacke June 14, 1960 

